Slavery

Capture and the Middle Passage After capture, Africans were packed tightly into slave ships. The death rate of the “passengers” was 50%.

The Middle Passage

Destination, Auction, and Seasoning Most Africans landed in Brazil with the least number landing in North America. Slaves were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Slaves were put through a process of “seasoning” to get them ready for work. They learned an European language, were named an European name, and were shown labor requirements.

The Beginnings of Slavery in the United States The Portuguese and Spanish had already brought Africans to South and Latin America. In 1619, the first Africans were brought to the colony Jamestown, Virginia by the Dutch.

Why Not Enslave the Native Population? Native Americans were highly likely to catch European diseases. They were familiar with the terrain and could escape easier. They had political allies that could fight against the “owners.”

Reasons for Using Enslaved African Labor Proximity-It only took 2-6 weeks to get to the colonies from the Caribbean at first. Experience-They had previous experience and knowledge working in sugar and rice production. Immunity from diseases-Less likely to get sick due to prolonged contact over centuries. Low escape possibilities-They did not know the land, had no allies, and were highly visible because of skin color.

Slavery in the Colonies New England colonies-no large plantation systems; slaves lived in cities and small farms Chesapeake Bay colonies-large tobacco plantations; center of the domestic slave trade Carolinas and Georgia-large rice and cotton plantations

The Effects of the American Revolution and the Constitution Gradual abolition of slavery in the northern colonies End of the Atlantic Slave Trade in 1808 Entrenchment of slavery in the South with the invention of the cotton gin in 1793 by Eli Whitney

Life of a Slave Most slaves had Sundays off and they went to church. Most slaves could not read or write, and it was illegal for them to learn. Slave Codes-They could not: leave their home without a pass, carry a weapon, gather in groups, own property, legally marry, defend themselves against a white person, or speak in court.

Resistance Flight-Slaves would runaway. Truancy-Flight for a short amount of time and then the slave came back. Refusal to reproduce- Women refused to have children. Covert Action-Slaves would sometimes kill animals, destroy crops, start fires, steal stuff, break tools, poison food.

May 2, Run away from the subscriber, in Mecklenburg county on Wednesday last, a fellow named Jack. It appears he has been principally concerned in promoting the late disorderly meetings among the Negroes, and is gone off for fear of being prosecuted for many robberies he has committed. He is a low squat made fellow, bow-legged, his eyes remarkably red, has been branded on the right cheek R, and on the left M, though not easily to be perceived. It is supposed he intends for Carolina or Georgia. Whoever apprehends the said slave, and will deliver him to me, shall receive 50s. If taken 50 miles from home and 6d [pence] a mile for a greater distance.

Violence 4 major slave revolts- Stono Rebellion-failed revolt in South Carolina in 1739 Gabriel Prosser-led failed revolt in Virginia in 1800 Denmark Vessey-led failed revolt in South Carolina in 1822 Nat Turner-killed 60 white people in Virginia in 1831

Punishment Slaves were often brutally punished for misbehaving. Punishments included: whipping, branding, being sold, gagged (silence), and other torturous methods were used.

Slaves’ Daily Life and Labor 90% of slaves lived on plantations or farms Most slaves on cotton plantations worked sunup to sundown, 6 days/week About 75% of slaves were field workers, about 5% worked in industry Urban slaves had more autonomy than rural slaves

Conditions of Slavery Lived in crude quarters that left them exposed to bad weather and disease. Diets consisted of cornmeal and salt pork. The weather conditions of the South made health problems like yellow fever, dysentery, and malaria common. Slave codes reinforced the concept that slaves were property and prevented slaves from having any rights.

Field Slaves Majority were field slaves and worked dawn to dusk. Some worked under the task system which required slaves to complete a specific job once done they were free to manage own affairs. Did skilled work like carpentry and ironsmithing and unskilled work like tending the crops. The women also had to care of their families by cooking, tending house and taking care of the children too! Masters hired out slaves to perform other duties and keep the slave’s wages.

House Slaves Household slaves cooked, cleaned, and nursed the master's children. Are constantly watched by their masters and mistresses. Had far less privacy than those who worked the fields. House slaves faced beatings, verbal abuse and sexual assault.

Slave Quarters

The Big House

Narrative Write a narrative about, or from the perspective of an enslaved African. Write about their daily life, interactions with their owners, and fellow enslaved Africans. Your character can be either a field slave, or a house slave. Explain what his/her job is. What a day in their life would be like. You may contemplate running away (remember, this was a small amount of enslaved people). Should be five paragraphs.